Middlesbrough

Housing tenure in Middlesbrough changed substantially in the decade leading up to the most recent census. Data from the census also show there were changes in marriage, ethnicity and health.

The population reached nearly 140,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Middlesbrough increased by 2.6%, from almost 135,000 to 138,000.

The addition of just under 3,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Middlesbrough was home to, on average, 18 people per football pitch-sized piece of land. This made it the North East's most densely-populated unitary authority.

Population density was higher than the average across the North East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Middlesbrough

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Middlesbrough increased by one year, from 36 to 37 years.

This multi-cultural area had the second-lowest average age in the North East and remained slightly younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of just over 4,000 people between the ages of 20 and 29 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 3,000.

About 16% of people in Middlesbrough are aged between 20 and 29 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North East and Middlesbrough by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough saw the North East's second-largest fall in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just over 1 in 19 (5.4%) in Middlesbrough reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 6.3% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 4.6% to 4.8%.

Across the region, only Newcastle upon Tyne saw a greater fall in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 6.3% to 5.4%).

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the North East

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Middlesbrough that rented privately increased from 7.9% to 17% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under one in four (24%) households lived in social housing, compared with 28% in 2001. The percentage of Middlesbrough households that owned their home decreased from 61% to 57%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased faster here than the figure for the whole of the North East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 14% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Middlesbrough increased by 8.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in Middlesbrough, the North East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough saw the North East's second-largest rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership.

In 2011, just under 4 in 10 (39%) people aged 16 and over in Middlesbrough said they were single, compared with 33% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 47% to 42%.

Across the region, only Newcastle upon Tyne saw a greater rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership (from 38% to 47%).

Every local authority area across the North East saw a rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership, as the regional average grew from 29% to 34%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was higher than across the North East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in the North East and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Middlesbrough

The number of people in Middlesbrough from the White ethnic groups increased from about 130,000 in 2001 to just over 120,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 94% to 88% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across the North East (from 98% to 95%), but at a similar rate to the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Middlesbrough from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 6,400 in 2001 to about 11,000 in 2011 (from 4.8% to 7.8%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just under 1,300 to just under 2,400 (from 0.9% to 1.7%).

Just over 1,700 people (0.4%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from just under 480 in 2001 (1.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Middlesbrough decreased by 5.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North East and Middlesbrough by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

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